By LeAura Alderson
What have you done for your legs lately?
Think about it: “Thunder Thighs”, “hate my thighs”, “can’t wear shorts”… we’ve all heard them and perhaps even said them. But our legs are the vehicle that carries us around, so treat them well and make them strong, and they will serve you well.
Being short, at 5′ 1”, it’s easy to look chunky really quickly. A few holiday celebrations or family birthday treats and it shows up quickly and goes away slowly. There’s obesity in my genetics, and the road to “slimdom” has not been an easy ride, and I spend most of the time 10lbs over where I would like to be.
But on balance, I’m reasonably fit with the basal metabolic rate of 26 though I an 56.
The Tanita Biometric Body Scanner is my favorite scale for measuring fat percentage, pounds in fat, physique rating and basal metabolic rate (BMR). And, my favorite daily exercises really make a difference in keeping my thighs toned. These things are important components to any weight loss and fitness regimen.
Favorite ways to keep my thighs toned.
Hill Sprints – sprinting the hills with the dogs. Walking dogs is a great time to get in some brisk walking, jogging and even sprints. Our dogs love racing up the hills. If you don’t have hills to walk or run where you are, you could join a gym or get a treadmill and crank up that incline. You will enjoy more rapid results than running or walking on level ground.
Biking – we bike the hills in our neighborhood 2/3 of the year. (I’m not a die-hard in the winter months). This definitely works the entire thigh and buttocks. I’m sure you’ve notice bikers whizzing by in their sleek outfits? Well, regular bikers always have toned thighs and tush.
Squats and squat jumps – I start my morning with 5 squat jumps and 20 squats first thing, while waiting the shower to warm up. Get the most for the squat time by going slightly below quads parallel to the floor. Then, through the day, every day, always use your legs to get you up out of chairs (and get up often!), and you will begin to notice that it’s easier to move and get up and sit down because your thighs are getting stronger.
Stairs – I love to take stairs two at a time whenever possible, and run “stadiums” or outdoor stairs when available. If you step up stairs two at a time, (so skipping every other stair), it’s equivalent of bench step-up. I you have stairs at work, take them as often as you can. Same thing at home, and by week’s, you will have added in the equivalent of dozens of bench step-ups.
So those are my favorite ways to keep thighs trim and toned. Meanwhile, here are seven moves for sculpted, sexy legs from Violet Zaki, group fitness instructor at Equinox Fitness Club in New York City, via Fitness Magazine.